In a recent interview with psychologist and conservative commentator Jordan Peterson, Tesla CEO Elon Musk made controversial statements regarding his transgender daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson. Musk claimed that after receiving gender-affirming care, his daughter was “killed,” asserting that he was misled into allowing treatments that he described as “child mutilation and sterilization.”
Musk revealed that Wilson came out as transgender at 16 and received care during the pandemic. He mentioned feeling deceived about the implications of gender-affirming treatments, stating he was told his child might be at risk of suicide. Musk criticized the practice of providing such treatments to minors, agreeing with Peterson that it is “incredibly evil” and claiming that those who support it should face imprisonment.
The Tesla CEO, who has a total of 12 children, expressed that he was not fully informed about puberty blockers, which he mistakenly characterized as sterilization drugs. Musk lamented the perceived loss of his son, stating that the term “deadnaming” signifies that he feels his child’s identity has been erased.
His remarks come shortly after announcing a relocation of several companies, including X and SpaceX to Texas, partly due to California’s legislation, AB1955, which restricts schools from notifying parents about their child’s transgender identity. Musk has faced criticism for his previous accusations of transphobia.
In 2022, Wilson legally changed her name and sought a new birth certificate, stating she no longer wished to be associated with her father. Musk has attributed the estrangement to Wilson’s progressive education in Los Angeles, suggesting that the dynamics of their relationship have influenced his strong stance against “woke” ideologies.
Once associated with center-left views, Musk has increasingly aligned himself with right-wing rhetoric on issues such as diversity initiatives and immigration. Recently, he endorsed the Republican presidential candidates, including former President Donald Trump.